Is Your Dryer Vent a Fire Hazard?
Were you aware a large number of structural fires at homes and commercial laundries occur due to clogged dryer vents? Well, it does not matter if you use an electric or a gas dryer, lint build up can easily get trapped in the vent reducing the overall airflow and drying efficiency. Dryers being one of the most extensively used appliances at homes and even commercially are prone to fire hazards if not kept clean and maintained on regular basis. Therefore, it is important to understand that lint is combustible, and using the dryer perpetually without proper maintenance can be hazardous.
As a reliable dryer vent cleaning Services Company in Vancouver, we share a few useful safety tips to maintain dryers and reduce the risk of fire hazards.
Never miss the warning signs mentioned below –
- Inefficiency of the dryer to completely dry clothes even after completion of the normal drying cycle
- Presence of a musty odor post the drying process
- Unusual warmth in clothes that are just removed from the dryer
- Lint accumulation at the ends of the dryer vent
- Excessive amount of lint accumulation in the dryer vent after each laundry load
- Additional drying time
Safety is of key importance while using dryers at home or at a commercial laundry. Consequences of an unfit dryer may lead to injuries and in case of commercial cases it may also lead in lost productive and may put the business at the risk of dealing with a lawsuit. While every manufacturer produces the machine by adhering with safety norms laid for the industry, poor maintenance and negligence can lead to a fire hazard. Therefore, following best practices is a must.
Here are essential tips to help you maintain dryers and keep your space away from a fire hazard.
Inspect – Tackle – And more
Inspect
As a regular routine for healthy dryer vents, it is recommended to check the vent opening on a regular basis and remove lint from the dryer after every laundry load. Remember, dryer vents at the basement can attract pests like rodents, whereas the ones on top draw attention of birds, rats, bats and more. So keep a close eye, if you find any kind of nesting close to the dryer vent outlet, immediate action is a must.
Tackle
Good ventilation around the dryer is essential to prevent fire. Additionally, lint must be gotten rid of by using a flexible brush with an extension to maintain airflow. Use of an air compressor or a combination vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment can work even better.
Note: Chemical stains due to gas, cooking oil, or other inflammable chemical agents need to be dealt with extra care.
It’s not over yet – there’s more
Once you get the basics right and also manage to get rid of lint, do not forget to remove dust that has been collected in the area behind the dryer, beneath the dryer and on the floor. If you don’t pay attention to this, chances of dust and debris getting pulled back by the dryer increase.
Consider a Professional
The above mentioned tips are a great way to stay in touch with the maintenance routine of the dryer vent. But if things get too complicated or it has been a longtime you have got the appliance cleaned from a professional, it is wise to call for a pro.
Remember, once a year professional cleaning of the dryer is a must. In certain cases where the dryer is used more frequently the professional routine must be done on a quarterly or biannual basis.
The experienced and well trained crew at MAS Duct Cleaning Services can get your job done without delay.
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